Theft By Deception

The Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau obtained indictments charging the following defendants with third-degree theft by deception.  In each case, it is alleged that the defendants fraudulently certified via the Internet each week, or by phone every other week, as required to receive benefits, that the individual receiving benefits was “physically able to work” and “available to go to work immediately,” when in fact he was in jail and therefore not eligible to receive benefits.

The spouses allegedly assisted the inmates in the fraud.  Each defendant is charged with third-degree theft by deception, which carries a potential sentence of three to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000 upon conviction.

Kurt Ohlson,52, of Sweetwater and his ex-wife Donna Ohlson, 48, of Mays Landing, were indicted yesterday, June 9.  It is alleged that from Aug. 18, 2009 to June 17, 2010, they fraudulently collected $25,696 in unemployment insurance benefits for Kurt Ohlson while he was serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated in Atlantic County Jail.   Donna Ohlson allegedly assisted with the false certifications, and she collected the benefits with her ex-husband.

The indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The indictments were handed up in Superior Court in Mercer County.  They were assigned to Superior Court in the counties where the defendants reside.

Entire article at
http://www.nbc40.net/story/25743999/eight-accused-of-fraudulently-collecting-unemployment